Nolan breaks track record

THE world’s first sub four-minute miler, Sir Roger Bannister, was in Tullamore on Saturday to witness the first sub four-minute mile ever run on the Harriers track.

Fittingly, it was James Nolan from nearby Screggan who won the event in 3:58.45.

The Irish Milers Club promoted the race and had Sir Roger in Ireland to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his landmark achievement.

Nolan, who launched his career on the Tullamore track which coincidentally was founded 50 years ago, provided the perfect result overtaking Mike Power in the finishing straight.

Power finished second in 3:58.93 with another Australian, Mark Tucker, third in 3:59.87.

Sean Connolly (Tallaght) finished fourth in 4:03.98 with Mullingar junior Mark Christie (DCU) fifth in 4:04.91.

"I only decided last evening," Nolan said. "And I came into the race under a lot of pressure. I am right in the middle of a block of heavy training and here I was before the home crowd and expecting to perform. While things did not go according to plan the pacemaking went all wrong it worked out well for me. The Australians were supposed to make the pace but I was left at the front. Fortunately Mike Power went to the front on the final lap and that gave something to bite into."

The women's 800m was won by Kelly McNeice (Lisburn) in 2:05.69 from Louise Reilly (Annalee) and Aoife Brady (DCU).